CASTING for the major new musical theatre adaptation of The Wind in the Willows has been announced ahead of running at Mayflower Theatre from 10-20 November prior to opening in London’s West End.

Comedian, actor and presenter Rufus Hound will star as the lovable menace Mr Toad in the highly-anticipated production alongside Irish actor and singer Fra Fee as Mole, Downton Abbey’s Thomas Howes as Ratty, EastEnders bad-boy and Shrek star Neil McDermott as Chief Weasel and Sophia Nomvete as Mrs Otter with further casting still to be announced.

Based on Kenneth Grahame’s novel which has captivated generations of readers for over a century, The Wind in The Willows has been adapted for the stage with a book by Academy Award-winning screenwriter and Downton Abbey creator Julian Fellowes and Olivier Award-winning composer and lyricist duo George Stiles and Anthony Drewe. Fellowes, Stiles and Drewe previously collaborated together on the hugely successful international hit musical Mary Poppins which ran for three years in the West End and six years on Broadway and on a new version of Half a Sixpence, soon to open at the Chichester Festival Theatre.

Rufus Hound said: “I - like so many of us - was weaned on The Wind in the Willows, so this is an incredibly special opportunity. Bringing these adventures to a brand new audience is almost as exciting as a gleaming new motorcar. Roll on rehearsals! Poop poop!”

Julian Fellowes said: “This new adaptation has been such a joy to write, and we have pulled together a really marvellous array of extraordinary talent in casting the production. I’ve no doubt that our actors are going to have the time of their lives taking these memorable characters on the journey from page to stage. I hope and believe the Audience will have a lot of fun!”

Jamie Hendry said: “I’m thrilled to announce such a wonderful cast of actors led by Rufus Hound as the thrill-seeking lovable menace Mr Toad. Developing this production has been immensely enjoyable and I can’t wait to bring the cast together as we start rehearsals this summer!”

Rufus Hound is an actor, presenter and comedian, most recently seen on stage in Don Quixote (Royal Shakespeare Company), The Wars of the Roses (Rose Theatre) and as Freddy in the original West End production of Dirty Rotten Scoundrels (Savoy Theatre).

Fra Fee most notably played the role of Courfeyrac in Tom Hooper's box office hit movie Les Misérables. Theatre credits include As You Like It (National Theatre), The Last Five Years (Lyric Theatre, Belfast); Romeo & Juliet (Gate Theatre); Candide (Menier Chocolate Factory); Les Misérables (Queen’s Theatre) and Dirty Dancing (Aldwych Theatre).

Thomas Howes is best known for his role as footman Thomas in Downton Abbey. Neil McDermott is most known for portraying Ryan Malloy in EastEnders (BBC).

Tickets for The Wind in the Willows (Thursday 10 - Saturday 20 November 2016) are on sale from Mayflower Theatre Box Office tel: 02380 711811 or online at mayflower.org.uk. Ovation Restaurant bookings: 02380 711833